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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

The Accidental Alchemist by Gigi Pandian

The Accidental Alchemist is a light-hearted romp about an alchemist who survives the Salem witch trials and inadvertently makes herself immortal with her alchemical experiments.

After years of traveling, never staying long in one place lest someone realize she doesn't age, Zoe Faust arrives in Portland, Oregon where she has bought a house and hopes to make a home for the first time in years (and years).  

To her chagrin, one of the first things she discovers when unpacking is...a gargoyle.  And not just any gargoyle, but a living, talking gargoyle with the skills of a great chef.

Dorian Robert-Houdin desperately needs Zoe's help to translate an ancient text that will not only explain how he came into existence, but will help him continue to live, and there is an ever lessening time frame to save him.

Well, OK, Dorian is the reason to continue the book.  He is the star, the most interesting character, and is quite most charming gargoyle-chef I've ever encountered.  

But, of course, there is a murder, an attempted murder, some underground tunnels, a couple of kids (well, three), a handsome cop, and some delicious sounding recipes.

The book is a fluffy concoction, but between Dorian and the descriptions of food, I wouldn't have missed it.  A souffle of a novel, all air and kitchen aroma and savoriness.  The plot?  I don't care, I love Dorian and would welcome him in my kitchen.

Read in Aug.; blog post scheduled for Dec. 17, 2014.

NetGalley/Midnight Ink

Paranormal/Mystery.  Jan. 8, 2015.  Print length:  360 pages.

10 comments:

  1. This sounds like both a light and fun read. A gargoyle-chef... interesting. I don't think I've read anything with such a character. The one I read are scary, though. :p

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    1. It was fun! Dorian is an inspired chef and a great character!

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  2. I had never heard of this author, but I checked her out on Goodreads and her books like fun, so I put her book #1 in her amateur sleuth series on my wishlist. Thanks--this one sounds light and sometimes just what we need if the mood allows.

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    1. :) Yes, sometimes a light read fist the bill. I gave it 3 stars, but looking at the Goodreads reviews, the book received positive reviews initially, then the reviews became more negative. Interesting. Maybe some reviewers were hoping for more (based on 4-5 star reviews) and then were disappointed.

      Anyway, I enjoyed it. ;p

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  3. This sounds good, and I love the title! The reference to Faust is interesting too.

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  4. :) I liked the Faustian reference as well. It was a fun book, and although I'm not much of a cook, I loved the meals Dorian created.

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  5. Any time my husband sees a title with "The Accidental" anything he lets out a big sigh of exasperation. LOL

    Despite that, this does sound like a great book. Fun. :-)

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    1. :) It was light and entertaining. Mystery and supernatural mixed together.

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  6. This book sounds like fun. I can't wait to meet Dorian. :)

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    1. Dorian (you may have noticed) is my favorite character, but I do have a thing for gargoyles.

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